Welsh Government
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Support for Farmers to convert to Organic Farming announced
The application window for the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme (OFCS) will be open between Monday 3 October 2011 and Friday 4 November 2011 and is available to those farmers who began, or will begin, conversion to organic between 2 January 2011 and 1 January 2012. Applications must include an organic conversion plan.
Priority will be given to farmers who are converting land used for arable production in 2011, as declared on the 2011 Single Application Form, followed by existing organic scheme agreement holders wishing to bring in additional land for conversion. Other applications meeting the minimum area eligibility requirements will then be considered on the basis of smallest area first.
The Deputy Minister said:
“Organic farming is growing in Wales with more and more farmers recognising the added value that organic food can bring and responding to the increased demand from consumers. Many people who buy organic food also want to buy local food so I am pleased to continue to support farmers to convert to organic farming and to help them satisfy the demands of Welsh consumers.”
The minimum eligible area to be entered into the scheme is 3 hectares. Applicants must have commenced organic conversion on or after 2 January 2011 and no later than 1 January 2012.
Details of the application process and up-to-date scheme information will be made available on the Organic Farming Scheme page of the Welsh Government website or from Divisional Offices and Organic Centre Wales.
